1. The distance a vessel moves at right angles to the original course when a turn of 180° has been completed is called the ____.
- A. Advance
- B. Pivoting point
- C. Tactical diameter
- D. Kick
Answer: C — Tactical diameter
Tactical diameter is the transfer measured when the ship's heading has altered by 180°, i.e. the perpendicular distance between the original track and the ship's position on completion of the half turn. It is a key figure on the manoeuvring data sheet.
2. Which deck officer is in charge of cargo operations?
- A. Master
- B. Second Officer
- C. Third Officer
- D. Chief Officer
Answer: D — Chief Officer
The Chief Officer is the head of the deck department under the Master and is responsible for planning and supervising cargo loading, discharging, stowage, ballasting and stability, assisted by the other deck officers on watch.
3. The figure obtained by dividing the total enclosed volume of the ship in cubic feet (after omission of exempted spaces) by 100 is the ____.
- A. Bale cubic
- B. Gross tonnage
- C. Light displacement
- D. Net tonnage
Answer: B — Gross tonnage
Under the traditional Moorsom system one register ton equals 100 cubic feet, so gross tonnage was the total enclosed volume in cubic feet divided by 100. Net tonnage further deducts non-earning spaces. The 1969 Tonnage Convention now uses a formula based on volume.
4. In relation to the turning circle of a ship, the term transfer means the distance ____.
- A. Gained in the direction of the original course
- B. Gained at right angles to the original course
- C. The ship moves sideways away from the direction of the turn after the rudder is first put over
- D. Around the circumference of the turning circle
Answer: B — Gained at right angles to the original course
Transfer is the distance the ship's centre of gravity moves at right angles to the original course, usually quoted for a 90° alteration of heading. Distance along the original course is advance, and the initial sideways movement away from the turn is kick.
5. The IAMSAR Manual provides guidelines for a common aviation and maritime approach to organising and providing ____ services.
- A. Oil spill clean-up
- B. Search and rescue
- C. Salvage
- D. Pilotage
Answer: B — Search and rescue
The International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual, jointly published by IMO and ICAO, gives guidelines for a common aviation and maritime approach to organising and providing search and rescue services. Volume III is carried on board ships.
6. What is the minimum number of two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus for survival craft required on a cargo ship of 500 GT and above?
- A. One
- B. Two
- C. Three
- D. Four
Answer: C — Three
SOLAS Chapter III, Regulation 6 requires at least three two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus on every passenger ship and every cargo ship of 500 gross tonnage and above, and at least two on cargo ships of 300 to 500 gross tonnage.
7. After the receiver receives the message, he or she should give ____.
- A. Feedback
- B. Suggestions
- C. Clues
- D. Silence
Answer: A — Feedback
Communication is a two-way process: the receiver confirms understanding by giving feedback to the sender. On board, closed-loop communication with read-back of orders reduces errors, especially in bridge and engine room operations.
8. People do not understand what you are saying. This means your message lacks ____.
- A. Clarity
- B. Completeness
- C. Consistency
- D. Punctuality
Answer: A — Clarity
Clarity means the message is expressed in simple, specific language so the receiver understands exactly what is meant. If people do not understand you, the message lacks clarity, which is one of the essential qualities of effective communication.
9. Barriers to good communication result ____.
- A. Only because of the receiver's fault
- B. From encryption and decryption of information in the process of communication
- C. From poor encoding and decoding of information in the process of communication
- D. Only from the sender's choice of language
Answer: C — From poor encoding and decoding of information in the process of communication
In the communication process the sender encodes an idea into a message and the receiver decodes it. Poor encoding or decoding, due to language, noise, assumptions or emotions, creates barriers. Blame does not lie with only one party.
10. Pushing the shoulders ____ and the chest ____ demonstrates power.
- A. Front, in
- B. Side, tilted
- C. Back, out
- D. Down, in
Answer: C — Back, out
In body language, standing with shoulders back and chest out is an open, expansive posture that projects confidence, authority and power. Hunched shoulders with the chest drawn in signal insecurity or submission.
11. Non-verbal communication is an inevitable part of our ____.
- A. Personality
- B. Face
- C. Body
- D. Clothing
Answer: A — Personality
Non-verbal behaviour such as posture, gestures, facial expression and tone is continuous and largely unconscious, so it is an inseparable part of a person's personality and is always communicating something to others.
12. When you communicate with your client, always do more ____ than talking.
- A. Reading
- B. Writing
- C. Listening
- D. Gesturing
Answer: C — Listening
Effective communicators listen more than they talk. Active listening helps to understand the other person's needs and concerns, builds trust and avoids misunderstandings, whether dealing with clients, crew members or shore staff.
13. Non-verbal communication helps you to make the best first ____.
- A. Behaviour
- B. Mannerism
- C. Impression
- D. Attitude
Answer: C — Impression
People form a first impression within seconds, largely from non-verbal cues such as posture, eye contact, facial expression, dress and handshake. Using positive body language helps make that first impression a good one.
14. If the compass bearing of an approaching vessel remains steady, there is ____.
- A. No risk of collision
- B. A risk of collision
- C. No change in the radar picture
- D. A risk of collision only at night
Answer: B — A risk of collision
COLREG Rule 7 states that risk of collision shall be deemed to exist if the compass bearing of an approaching vessel does not appreciably change. A steady relative bearing on a steady course means the same, and action to avoid collision is required.
15. Non-verbal communication is the ____ of messages other than by verbal or written means.
- A. Distribution
- B. Transmission
- C. Submission
- D. Suppression
Answer: B — Transmission
Non-verbal communication is the transmission of messages through means other than spoken or written words, such as facial expressions, gestures, posture, eye contact, tone of voice and personal space.
16. When you learn to pay ____ to body language, you can understand what the other person is trying to convey.
- A. Attention
- B. Impression
- C. Importance
- D. Respect
Answer: A — Attention
Paying attention to body language, such as facial expression, posture and gestures, lets you read feelings and intentions that may not be spoken, giving a fuller understanding of the message the other person is trying to convey.
17. Non-verbal communication is the world ____ words.
- A. Behind
- B. Beyond
- C. In front of
- D. Before
Answer: B — Beyond
Non-verbal communication is often described as the world beyond words because it conveys meaning through gestures, posture, expression and tone, communicating emotions and attitudes that words alone may not express.
18. ____ denotes the capacity of an individual to record, retain and reproduce information.
- A. Brain
- B. Memory
- C. Data
- D. Intelligence
Answer: B — Memory
Memory is the mental capacity to encode (record), store (retain) and retrieve (reproduce) information. Effective note making and study techniques aim to improve these three stages of memory.
19. A smiling face indicates the friendly nature of a person's ____.
- A. Speech
- B. Activities
- C. Character
- D. Clothing
Answer: C — Character
A genuine smile is a universal non-verbal signal of warmth and approachability and is read by others as an indication of a friendly character. It helps build rapport and trust in teams on board.
20. Our bodily actions are as strong as the ____ that we use in communication.
- A. Words
- B. Voice
- C. Actions
- D. Silence
Answer: A — Words
Body language carries as much weight as the words we speak; when gestures and posture contradict the spoken words, listeners tend to believe the non-verbal message. Words and actions should therefore be consistent.
21. ____ held apart when standing indicates a relaxed pose and also signals confidence.
- A. Arms
- B. Hands
- C. Legs
- D. Fingers
Answer: C — Legs
Standing with the legs comfortably apart gives a stable, open stance that is read as relaxed and confident. Crossed legs or tightly closed stances while standing tend to signal nervousness or defensiveness.
22. Frequent interruptions on the part of the speaker can ____.
- A. Lead to effective listening
- B. Have importance in listening
- C. Impede listening
- D. Improve understanding
Answer: C — Impede listening
Frequent interruptions break the flow of the message and distract the listener, making it difficult to follow and understand what is being said. Interruptions are a common barrier to effective listening.
23. What should you maintain with your audience?
- A. Body language
- B. Eye contact
- C. Communication
- D. Silence
Answer: B — Eye contact
Maintaining eye contact with the audience shows confidence, sincerity and attention, keeps listeners engaged and lets the speaker read their reactions. It is one of the most important non-verbal skills in presentations and briefings.
24. How many departments are there on board a typical merchant vessel?
- A. Two - ratings and officers
- B. Two - crew and officers
- C. Three - engine department, deck department and saloon or steward department
- D. One - all crew under the Master
Answer: C — Three - engine department, deck department and saloon or steward department
A merchant ship is traditionally organised into three departments: the deck department under the Chief Officer, the engine department under the Chief Engineer, and the saloon or catering department under the Chief Cook or Chief Steward, all under the Master.
25. As per the MARPOL Annex I definition, a special area means ____.
- A. A sea area where, for recognised technical reasons relating to its oceanographical and ecological condition and traffic, special mandatory methods for the prevention of sea pollution by oil are required
- B. Any sea area within 12 nautical miles of the nearest land
- C. An area declared by a port State for bunkering operations only
- D. An area where oil discharge is permitted at any rate while en route
Answer: A — A sea area where, for recognised technical reasons relating to its oceanographical and ecological condition and traffic, special mandatory methods for the prevention of sea pollution by oil are required
MARPOL Annex I Regulation 1 defines a special area as a sea area where, for recognised technical reasons in relation to its oceanographical and ecological condition and the particular character of its traffic, the adoption of special mandatory methods for the prevention of sea pollution by oil is required.
26. As per SOLAS, onboard training of crew members in the use of the ship's life-saving and fire-extinguishing appliances shall be given as soon as possible but not later than ____ after joining the ship.
- A. 24 hours
- B. 1 week
- C. 2 weeks
- D. 1 month
Answer: C — 2 weeks
SOLAS Chapter III, Regulation 19 requires onboard training in the use of the ship's life-saving appliances, including survival craft equipment, and fire-extinguishing appliances as soon as possible but not later than two weeks after a crew member joins the ship.
27. Operational discharge of noxious liquid substances (chemicals) from ships can only be carried out in accordance with which MARPOL Annex?
- A. Annex I
- B. Annex II
- C. Annex III
- D. Annex V
Answer: B — Annex II
MARPOL Annex II regulates the control of pollution by noxious liquid substances in bulk. Discharge of residues of chemicals is permitted only under its conditions, such as minimum distance from land, depth of water, ship speed and the use of approved procedures.
28. The parent instrument for the mandatory ISM Code is ____.
- A. SOLAS Chapter IX
- B. SOLAS Chapter XI-2
- C. MARPOL Annex VI
- D. STCW Chapter VIII
Answer: A — SOLAS Chapter IX
The ISM Code is made mandatory through SOLAS Chapter IX, Management for the Safe Operation of Ships. SOLAS Chapter XI-2 is the parent instrument for the ISPS Code.
29. Ballast water exchange should be carried out in water of at least ____ metres depth.
- A. 50
- B. 100
- C. 200
- D. 500
Answer: C — 200
Under the Ballast Water Management Convention, Regulation B-4, ships conducting exchange should do so at least 200 nautical miles from the nearest land and in water at least 200 metres deep, or failing that at least 50 nautical miles from land in 200 metres depth.
30. What is the main danger when working on oily surfaces?
- A. Slipping and falling
- B. Electric shock
- C. Asphyxiation
- D. Radiation exposure
Answer: A — Slipping and falling
Oil and grease on decks, ladders and engine room plates reduce friction, so slips, trips and falls are the main hazard. Spills should be cleaned at once, absorbent material used and suitable safety footwear worn.
